sparky3

I've now owned a 2004 LS430 and a 2007 LS460 with air suspension (just sold the latter last week).

I'm thinking selling the LS460 was a mistake, but I had the L version with air (exec package) and didn't really need one with all those bells & whistles.
I'm now looking at non-L 460's without air suspension.

It seems that from a super comfy "couch" type of ride the LS430 was superior to the 460 with air. Is the non-air 460 more like the 430 as far as ride quality or is it even worse? I understand on paper the air should be super comfy but just didn't find it that way.
On a side note, if ride comfort is the #1 priority should I avoid the AWD LS460?
Thanks guys!
Shawn

rominl

iTrader: (4)

ls460 with air rides better than ls460 without air

your ls430 has 17" wheels? i think that makes huge difference. plus ls430 itself has softer suspension than ls460 to begin with

sparky3

Yep, 17" wheels. The LS430 was a dream - never should have sold that car. I sold it with 165k miles and drove it for 8 years. I did nothing but routine maintenance.

On the 2007 LS460, the brake actuator really needed replacing, the dash was sticky, and there was annoying wind noise coming from the front left. Didn't ride as comfy, nor did the L version feel as sporty as the standard 430. Just too big of a damn car. Loved the gadgets and room though, and it looked a billion times better.
Sigh. There is no perfect car. I test drove some GS's (pre 2012) and I really loved them except there was no headroom. The IS is too small, and the ES too boring. I can't afford the 2013+ models.

sparky3

Oh yeah the 460 had the sagging glovebox that I had to fix too. I'm wondering if getting a 08-10 model might fare better (wind noise and ABS actuator)...

kitchamp

I came from a LS400 with air, to LS430 w/o air, and now have the LS460L w/o air. I think the best riding car was the LS430. The 460 just seems much more harsh than the 430, even with the stock 18" wheels.

But of course, the first thing I did was put 20s on it.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

yes, if you care about comfort and ride, you just can't beat the ls430 with stock 17s. it's just ridiculously smooth, you are riding on a cloud

the ls460 is just firmer and harsher. i am not saying it's bad (it's still way better than a lot of cars), but it's just different direction. the 18s don't help either.

CarGuy89

I briefly test drove a 2011 AWD 460 last year and really enjoyed it. I felt as if the ride really wasn't much harsher, but that the car was a lot less floaty in the turns (a great thing IMO). Also, I was astounded by how quiet the 460, I would definitely say a notch above the 430 even. Granted, this was a later facelift model I drove so a lot of the earlier bugs were worked out. Only thing I didn't like about that particular car was the braking which didn't seem as nice and linear as the 430. Overall I definitely walked away impressed with the 460!

DiamondX

We have both a 2002 430 and a 2011 460. I enjoy both, but for a totally first class comfortable ride the, 430 is better for me. It’s quieter, smoother, softer, and easier to drive. Both have Michelins; with the 430 on 16s and the 460 on 18s. The 460 is far from uncomfortable and handles better. They are really two different cars.

peteybabes

my car with 18's and suspension set to "comfort" mode is close to comparable i'd say to my previous ls 430...

however, i've never been in a no air 460, i'm just a little shocked that an L Executive could be "too much"

Wandl

This is a very interesting comparison.

I own a 2010 LS460 SWB and it drives smoother than my previous ride (I came from a 2014 Honda Accord). However, I test drove a 02 LS430 with 120k miles (not UL) last week at the Lexus dealer while my car was getting serviced and, not only was it a bigger car (and roomier), which actually is a good thing for me, but it floats smoother across the largely-flat Dallas roads here. As DiamondX suggested, the LS460 is leaps and bounds in comfortable ride compared to other vehicles but the LS430 is a step above...even the 13 year old LS430 I test drove last week, when taken care of, will maintain its smooth demeanor...

Incidentally not crazy on the 01-03 looks, prefer 04 and above but ride-wise, was very impressive!

freeflight

Interesting observation, noted

aypues

LS400's with air are so rare. Just out of curiosity (or boredom) I did an exhaustive search on Autotrader for 98-00 LS400's with air. I only found one and it had like 250k miles. SO CRAZY! I guess from what I found in the brochures that it was a stand alone option so no one ever got it!

kitchamp

You are correct!

I think I had the rarest of the rare LS400, with all the options: memory seats, heated seats, Nakamichi, air suspension, traction control, and the integrated cell phone (remember those? haha)